[media-credit name=”David Zalubowski, Special to The Denver Post” align=”aligncenter” width=”495″][/media-credit]

Joe Cocker, left, with Fred and Jana Bartlit and their dog, Lulu.

Please tell me I’m not the only one who thought it was pretty cool that an entertainer with the last name of Cocker was the headliner for the 10th anniversary Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ. See, it’s a benefit for the Denver Dumb Friends League, and every now and then there’s a cocker spaniel up for adoption there, and …

OK, maybe that’s too much of a stretch. But in any event, veteran rocker Joe Cocker put on quite a show for the 550 who gathered at Fred and Jana Bartlit’s Castle Pines home for this annual chuckwagon barbecue, auction and show that this year raised a record $600,000 for the DDFL’s Buddy Center, a shelter in Douglas County that served 4,500 animals in 2010 alone.

Fred Bartlit, considered one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers, was recently appointed chief counsel to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He also was trial counsel on the 1989 investigation into the cause of the Piper Alpha North Sea Oil Platform disaster, in which 160 people died. Those findings led to widepread changes in industrial drilling practices in the North Sea.

In addition to hosting Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ, the Bartlits have also funded several other Dumb Friends League services, including a mobile spay and neuter unit, the Lulu Mobile, that serves pets in low-income neighborhoods. Interestingly, Philip Beck, the “Beck” in the Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott law firm, was so inspired by the Lulu Mobile that he and his family funded a similar unit, the Gus Mobile, in Chicago, where the firm also has offices. The Gus Mobile, part of the PAWS Chicago shelter, serves pet owners in the Windy City’s poorest neighborhoods.

In addition to the two-legged guests, several furry, four-legged creatures also made the scene, arriving in the DDFL’s mobile adoption unit. Twelve of them, including Mama, a pug; Issa, an 8-year-old cattle dog; and three Siamese kittens, were adopted.

“Jana and Fred are not only extraordinary hosts, they have hearts of gold,” observes Bob Rohde, the DDFL’s president and chief executive officer. “We are humbled by their generosity and grateful for their having made the event so memorable.”

Jana Bartlit is vice chair and a lifetime member of the DDFL board.

After enjoying cocktails and conversation, and a silent auction, the dinner bell rang and everyone filed into the dinner tent for a buffet featuring tenderloin and fried chicken from chef Tom Perini of Texas. Perini’s credits include six invitations to cook at the James Beard House in New York and catering for former President George W. Bush.

Jim Odle and John Clatworthy of Odle & Cumberlin Auctioneers in Bush, CO, kept the live auction lively, scoring such amazing bids as $25,000 for the purchase of animal care supplies at the Buddy Center; $17,000 for the honor of having the high bidder’s pet appear on the cover of the DDFL’s 2012 calendar and $12,000 for another pet to be the calendar’s centerfold.

Denver Art Museum president Cathey Finlon and her husband, Dick; Roger Hutson and Leslie McKay; Jack and Darci Overstreet; Jim Palenchar and Liz Lynner; Barbara Schmitt; and Don Scott were among the Club Lulu VIP-level guests on hand for the festivities; Club Lulu Premiere-level attendees included Kathi Brock; Shelley Magness and Eric Head; Dr. Peter Sendroy; Jim and Karen Possehl; and the Lawrence Covells.

Joe Cocker’s wife, Pam, purchased a patron table and her guests included BJ Dyer and Guenther Vogt. The owners of Bouquets have been friends with the Cockers for many years, meeting when BJ’s cousin, Sue Green, became Pam Cocker’s personal assistant.

Denver will be seeing its share of stars in the coming months, starting May 8 when Tony Bennett headlines the Colorado Symphony Ball. US Bank chief Hassan Salem and his wife, Sheila, are chairing the dinner event. It’ll be at the Sheraton Denver Downtown with tickets available from Jason Hurley at the CSO office, 303-308-2475.
Next up: Country/crossover sensation (five Academy of Country Music Awards, two Grammys) Lee Ann Womack. The artist perhaps best known for her 2000 country/pop chart-topper, “I Hope You Dance,” is here for the June 26 Giddy-Up Gala, which benefits The Children’s Hospital. It’ll be at Crooked Willow Farms, a 90-acre spread west of Larkspur. Triple Crown sponsorship is $50,000 and includes two VIP tables of 10 and a meet-and-greet with Womack. Find out more by visiting thechildrenshospitalfoundation.org/giddyup
On Aug. 21, Lionel Richie headlines Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ, the benefit Fred and Jana Bartlit host every year for the Denver Dumb Friends League. It’s held in a huge tent set up on the grounds of their Castle Pines spread, and also features a chuckwagon dinner prepared by Texas barbecue chef Tom Perini. Tickets go on sale June 15; get more info by visiting lulusbbq@ddfl.org
Last but not least, late-night yakker Jay Leno is going to emcee the Children’s Hospital Gala. All we know at this point is that it’s going to be on Sept. 11. But when we know more, so will you.

Headliner Chris Isaak, right, donated an autographed guitar that was purchased in the live auction by Brandis and Steve Pelletier. Photo by Steve Peterson, Special to The Denver Post
Everybody loves Lulu, or so it would seem.
For the past eight years, the 9-year-old Brussells griffon has asked her humans, Fred and Jana Bartlit, to do something nice for the animals who might not live such a charmed life as she does. So the Bartlits toss Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ, a big shindig that brings 500 people to their Castle Pines home for a Texas-style barbecue prepared by legendary chef Tom Perini of Buffalo Gap, Texas, and headline entertainment, this year by Grammy-nominated recording artist Chris Isaak. Previous years have featured Patti LaBelle, Cyndi Lauper and Dwight Yoakum.
The barbecue is a benefit for the Denver Dumb Friends League, of which Jana Bartlit is a lifetime trustee. As of Monday, the 2009 edition had raised $397,000 — with more yet to be counted. The Bartlits take care of every expense.
It’s not just for the love of their pooch that they make such a generous gesture. Fred, an attorney with Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott, and Jana firmly believe that humans that abuse animals often go on to do evil things to people. “Studies prove that — and jails are filled with — people who’ve transgressed against animals and have gone on to maim or kill or abuse fellow human beings. More often than not the victims are little girls and boys,” he said. “So this barbecue is about much more than our love for furry little creatures.”
Folks arrive at the Bartlit party prepared to have fun, and that they do.
Even the live auction — a low point for so many other events, particularly now that people are keeping a careful eye on discretionary spending — is fun and, well, lively.
Led by John Clatworthy and Jim Odle, this year’s bidding included Pamela Hollister’s record-breaking $17,500 for the chance to have one of her pets pictured on the cover of the DDFL’s 2010 calendar. Hollister is the wife of Great-West Life president/ceo Mitchell Graye.Brandis Becky Pelletier and her husband, Steve, were high bidders ($4,500) on a black acoustic guitar that Chris Isaak, whose Maltese, Rodney, often tours with him, donated and personally inscribed for them.
But it wasn’t just luxury items that attracted bidder attention. Guests also paid to purchase medical equipment for the DDFL’s Buddy Center shelter in Douglas County; to subsidize senior citizen pet adoptions at the Buddy Center; and to buy tags, collars and leashes, microchip services and vaccines.Bob Rohde, who has been president of the Dumb Friends League since 1977, helped the hosts welcome such VIP guests as Cathy Bissell, founder of lostpets.com; Dr. Scott Campbell, chairman/ceo of Banfield Pet Hospitals; Neil Thompson, CEO of Hill’s Pet Nutrition; and Dr. Jed Rogers, president of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association.
Bissell flew in from her home in Michigan to join her Denver friends Dana and Chris Rebhun, and Stacey Renker, whose husband, Greg, is a founding principal of Guthy-Renker Corp., the world’s largest direct response television company. They live in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Patron-level supporters included Kathi Brock and Dr. Pete Sendroy; June Harper; Cathey and Dick Finlon; Howard and Susan Noble; Barbara Schmitt; Randy and Karen Woods; Cynthia and Tim Larkin; and Dick and Marcia Robinson.
We also spotted U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman and his wife, Cynthia; Dianne Vanderlip; Judy Fahrenkrog; Hanne Lichtenfels; Larry King; Jan and Miles Cortez; Rollie Jordan and Michael Dunahay; Bill and Yvonne McCallum; John and Martha Gart; Dr. Jil Hennessey; Jim and Cathy Marquis; Murphy and Carol Huston; and Mark and Pat “Gabby Gourmet” Miller.

The 2008 Denver Debutante Ball honorees were introduced for the first time at an afternoon held last week at Brooke Parker’s Greenwood Village Home. Also see society editor Joanne Davidson’s column in the March 5 food section and denverpost.com/SeenGallery for pictures.
The 2008 debs are:Sarah Grace Ammons
Kent Denver School
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Anders Ammons (Lee Anne and Mark)
Aunt Melissa Hamilton Ammons was presented in 1975
President, Kent Denver chapter of El Pomar Youth and Community Service
Competitive equestrian, shows quarter horses

Zoe Elizabeth Bidell
Kent Denver School
Dr. Thomas Richard Bidell and Jill Weller Nelson
Mother Jill Weller Nelson was presented in 1969
Great-great-grandfather was mayor of Aspen
Interested in filmmaking; attended summer program at the University of Southern California in 2007 where she produced a documentary and two commercials

Anna Katherine Burchenal (Kate)
Colorado Academy
Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Wells Burchenal (Shan and Caleb)
Three Burchenal aunts were debutates in New York City
Founder, recycling group at Colorado Academy
2nd Team All-Conference honors in lacrosse

Frances Kappner Clark (Kappner)
St. Mary’s Academy
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Raoul Clark (Karen and Raoul)
President of National Honor Society
Captain of school lacrosse and field hockey teams
1st Team Academic All-State in field hockey and lacrosse
Volunteer at Warren Village

Taylor Cora Dolven
Cherry Creek High School
Lynn Dolven and the late Thomas Richard Dolven
Volunteers at Craig Hospital
Interests include horseback riding and photography
Participant, Speech and Debate and Cross Country teams at Creek

Elizabeth Ashton Eliot
Colorado Academy
Mr. and Mrs. John Phillip Eliot (Missy and John)
Mother Melissa Kintzele Eliot was presented in 1979
Grandmother Sue Kintzele is a former Denver Debutante Ball committee member, mother currently serves on committee
Member, National Society of High School Scholars
Timothy Johnson Service Award, volunteers for Brent’s Place and Food Bank of the Rockies
5th-generation Colorado native

Mackenzie Caroline Gilchrist (Kenzie)
East High School
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Ian Gilchrist (Jeanne and Tim)
Sister Lindsay Gilchrist was presented in 2001
Member of the national champion Constitutional Scholars team
Honor Roll member all four years of high school

Georgia Pynchon Grey
Colorado Academy
Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler Everett Grey III (Sarah and Schuyler)
Sister Carter Grey was presented in 2006
Selected to Community Leadership Team by Colorado Academy faculty
Honor Roll, all four years of high school
Volunteer: H.O.P.E., Salvation Army and elementary children tutor

Alexandra Scripps Gross (Lexy)
Metropolitan State College
Catherine Groos and the late Alexander McIntosh Groos
Planning to attend Santa Monica Community College to study acting
4th generation Coloradan
Great uncle, the late E. Atwill Gilman, emceed the Denver Debutante Ball for 25 years; Great aunt, Callae Gilman, remains involved with the ball
Cousin Elizabeth Gilman Pickard also will be presented this year
National and regional honors in equestrian competitions

Katherine Elizabeth Jolliffe (Kate)
Cherry Creek High School
Mr. and Mrs. William Cumings Jolliffe (Mancy and Will)
Future Community Leaders of America, 1st Place in state competition
State and national qualifier for DECA
Member National Charity League, volunteers for Project CURE
National Honor Society member

Caroline Neville Knudson
Kent Denver School
John Carl Knudson and Nancy McCurdy (John and Nancy)
Manager of Kent’s varsity hockey team
Member, tennis team
Spent last summer in Argentina with a community outreach group focusing on environmental clean-up

Anne Elizabeth Lake (Annie)
Highlands Ranch High School
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Lake (Gwen and Eric)
Great-great-grandfather discovered Cave of the Winds
Mother, Gwen Sylling, was presented in the late 1970s
Great aunt, Mary Kay Deline, was presented at the first Denver Debutante Ball in 1956
Interests include DECA, lacrosse
Studying communications at the University of Colorado-Boulder in the fall

Natalie Anita Latcham (Tally)
George Washington High School International Baccalaureate program
Mr. and Mrs. Chester Thomas Latcham (Toni and Chetter)
Sisters Jaime and Keely were debs in 2004 and 2006, respectively
Varsity swim team, holds two state records
Columnist for high school newspaper

Elizabeth Anne Marsico
Cherry Creek High School
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher James Marsico (Tammy and Chris)
Will attend University of Southern California
U.S.Tennis Association National Juniors Fed Cup Tennis Team Member, 2007
Member of Team Colorado tennis and Number One singles player at Cherry Creek, 10th and 11th grades
4th generation Coloradan
National Honor Society, graduating with high honors
Cousin Jennifer Marsico was presented at the Denver Debuntante Ball

Olivia Baker Nicholson
George Washington International Baccalaureate Program
Mr. and Mrs. Will Faust Nicholson III (Christine and Will)
Great-Grandfather Will Faust Nicholson was Denver’s mayor in 1956 and stood in the first Denver Debutante Ball receiving line
Mr. and Mrs. Will Faust Nicholson Jr. stood in receiving line for the 50th anniversary ball
Great-Great Grandfather Jim Burns founded Portland Gold Mine in Cripple Creek
Varsity volleyball team captain, with interests in photography

Jade St. Vrain Perkins
J.K. Mullen High School
Mr. and Mrs. John Willard Perkins (Denise and John)
4th generation Coloradan; direct descendent of fur trappers and traders Ceran and Mackellin St. Vrain
Received Best Volunteer Award from Colorado Community Hospice
National Honor Society member

Olivia Sullivan Ross
Colorado Academy
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Worth Ross (Mary and Jeff)
Will attend Johns Hopkins University
Co-President of HOPE, a school organization that supports homeless programs
Volunteered for an orphanage in the Dominican Republic

Haley Marie Sorensen
Kent Denver School
Mr. and Mrs. James William Sorensen (Jodi and Bill)
Vice President of Kent Denver Credit Union, largest student run credit union in the United States
Volunteer tutor for Denver Public Schools middle-school children
Varsity golf team, Blue Key member, selected to Student Ambassador Program
Father was Boettcher Foundation trustee for many years

Ann Marie Stookesberry (Annie)
Kent Denver School
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Damuel Stookesberry (Ginger and Steve)
Will attending Boston University
3rd generation Coloradan; great grandfather was instrumental in bringing railroad from Cheyenne to Denver
Sister Lucy was presented in 2002
Traveled to Dominican Republic in 2006 to help build library and teach English

Sarah Elizabeth Tredennick
Kent School in Connecticut
Mr. and Mrs. John Cook Tredennick, Jr. (Page and John)
Mother was a debutante in Cincinnati in 1971
Sarah has received many national equestrian awards in show jumping; finishing 5th in the North American Young Riders Competition in 2007
Selected as a student ambassador to Australia in 9th grade

Megan Elizabeth Zajkowski (Meggie)
Colorado Academy
Amy Beth Harvey
Gregg Mitchell Zajkowski
Selected for the Oxford Tradition Program at Pembroke College in 2007; studied molecular medicine as well as archaeology and anthropology
Worked with Spanish-speaking children enrolled in Denver metro Head Start programs

Pictures taken at the announcement tea can be viewed at denverpost.com/SeenGallery